Substack Chat vs Discord: Which is Better for Building Subscriber Relationships?

As a Substack writer, you know that building strong relationships with your subscribers is key to fostering a loyal, engaged community around your work. But with multiple platform options available, it can be tough to determine the best fit for your unique audience and goals.

Two of the most popular choices for Substack publishers are the native Substack Chat feature and the third-party platform Discord. In this post, we'll compare the two options head-to-head, exploring their features, strengths, and ideal use cases to help you make an informed decision for your community.

Feature Comparison

Let's start by looking at the core features of each platform:

Substack Chat:

• Native integration with Substack posts and interface
• Simple, linear chat format
• Basic moderation tools (muting, blocking)
• No custom roles or permissions
• Limited to text-based conversations

Discord:

• Standalone app with robust customization options
• Multi-channel structure for organized discussions
• Voice, video, and screen-sharing capabilities
• Granular roles and permissions for member management
• Rich media integration (images, GIFs, embeds)
• Bots and integrations for advanced functionality

At a glance, Discord offers a more expansive feature set, with greater flexibility for structuring and enriching community interactions. However, Substack Chat's simplicity and seamless integration can be an advantage for writers who want a low-friction, on-brand community experience.

Scenarios Where Discord Shines

While the best platform choice depends on your specific needs, there are several common scenarios where Discord's capabilities give it an edge over Substack Chat:

1. Complex communities: If your vision involves multiple discussion topics, tiered access for different subscriber groups, or dedicated spaces for events and resources, Discord's customizable channel and role system can provide the necessary structure and organization.

2. Interactive formats: For writers who want to offer interactive community experiences like AMAs, writing workshops, or even audio/video-based events, Discord's voice and screen-sharing features are a major advantage over Substack Chat's text-only format.

3. Gamification and incentives: Discord's bot integrations and custom role system make it easier to implement engagement incentives like points, badges, or unlockable perks, which can help drive participation and reward active members.

4. Cross-promotion and networking: With servers for a wide variety of topics and creator communities, Discord offers opportunities for writers to cross-pollinate and network with adjacent audiences in a way that's tougher to replicate within the Substack ecosystem.

Conclusion

When it comes to building subscriber relationships, both Substack Chat and Discord have their merits. Substack Chat offers a simple, integrated community experience, while Discord provides more robust customization and interactive features.

Ultimately, the right choice depends on factors like your community size, desired engagement style, and technical comfort level. If you're just starting out or prefer a low-maintenance approach, Substack Chat's ease of use may be the better fit. For writers with larger, more complex community visions, Discord's flexibility and expandability can be well worth the extra setup.

Regardless of which platform you choose, the key to a thriving subscriber community is to stay attuned to your audience's needs and preferences. Don't be afraid to experiment, gather feedback, and iterate as you grow. With consistent effort and an audience-first mindset, you can build meaningful, lasting relationships with your subscribers on either platform.